This paper presents the failure analysis of a 1000 US gallon, horizontal, propane tank, which suddenly circumferentially separated at its central section while being radiantly heated. Thermo-hydraulic analyses of the tank and its contents, as well as nite element analysis of its possible thermal stress states coupled with other evidence show that the reasons for the catastrophe were complex-weld defects, low melting point ttings, placement, and re ghting-and all contributed to the failure. Recommendations are made in order to prevent future similar accidents.

No abstract

An experiment investigating the photoelectron instability has been performed in BEPC at IHEP, China. The betatron oscillation of each bunch was observed and recorded by a single pass beam position monitor system which has a capability to measure the transverse position of every bunch over 16000 turns. The effect of an octupole magnet on the instability was also studied. This paper describes results of those observations and analyses.

Organic acids are important agents in the alteration of deep reservoirs. It is difficult, however, to assess the impact of organic acid alteration on deep reservoirs because different dissolution processes may occur during diagenesis. This study simulated the dissolution of three different types of reservoir rocks by acetic acid in a closed system and compared the mineral and elemental composition, surface morphology, pore structure, and water chemistry variations of the initial and altered samples. The study demonstrated that both micrite and sucrosic dolostone are strongly dissolved, losing about 20%–30% of their initial rock sample weights. Observation under SEM showed that the limestone dissolved homogenously, whereas the dolostone showed honeycomb-like dissolution. Both carbonate samples showed the development of large voids, including holes and cavities of micrometer scale, but nanopores of various sizes were blocked. In contrast, lithic arkose was heterogeneously altered, losing a weight proportion of about 13% by dissolution of calcite cement. These micrometer-scale microfissures were developed, but those nanometer-scale pores just varied in a narrow range of sizes. The volume increase in all three reservoir types is mainly attributed to the dissolution of carbonate minerals. In deep reservoirs, in situ generated organic acids can enlarge existing cavities in carbonates and develop microfissures in sandstones. The microfissure porosity in sandstone is limited but can increase through other geological processes such as overpressure. More importantly, these acids can maintain the acidity of pore waters, inhibit the precipitation of dissolved minerals, and help to preserve reservoir porosity. Although temperature plays an insignificant role in laboratory simulations, it influences both the generation and destruction processes of organic acids in deep reservoirs on geologic time scales and, thus, warrants further attention. The results provide a basis for recognizing the typical patterns of organic acid dissolution on different reservoir rocks and further suggest the potential role of organic acids in the formation and preservation of secondary porosity in deeply buried reservoirs.